1. OUR TOUR
TO
SOUTH EAST
ASIA
DR.
SHRINIWAS
KASHALIKAR

2. The initial enquiry about tour (on a cup
coffee) was pleasant at Sachin travels.
The atmosphere was not formal or
indifferent as against some other tour
agents/companies.
The SE2 tour including Hong Kong and
Macau was selected and soon booked
also.
Initial thoughts on tour were little bit
skeptical; especially with respect to the
usual and familiar nature of cities,
characterized by annoying crowding,
pollution and the jam packed and tiring
or grueling program of tour. There was
also apprehension about food, breakfast
and exhaustive traveling.

3. On 10th July; we reached the Chatrapati
Shivaji International Airport at about 12
midnight.
We met our group leaders Prashant
Ramaraje and Amol Shevade. Both are
quite affable. They did never reflect
snobbish, negligent, timid, belligerent,
confused, or anxious attitude. They were
confident and reassuring.
The usual procedures of checking in,
immigration and boarding were untimely
and patience testing. But this is probably
inseparable from air travel.
The show, pomp and the vanity on
airport reflect the abundance and
affluence amidst agony and apathy of the
vast majority of Indians. Even the urinals
surrounding the airport endorse and

4. confirm this observation. The bickering
and verbal abuses prevailed as is the case
in any crowded and mismanaged set up.
But I feel that that the global rise of
spiritual renaissance probably cannot be
resisted even by the toughest of evil
forces in coming future.
11th July
We were quite comfortable in Hong
Kong flight and reached Hong Kong in
time i.e. at about by the Cathe Pacific
flight no. CX 684 at 12:30 pm on 11th
July. From Mumbai Hong Kong is about
4200 km away.
We found cleanliness and discipline
coupled with elegance and warmth
through out the airport.

5. We were received by Eric; our tour guide
on airport. We visited a restaurant in a
crowded downtown area of Hong Kong
and had reasonably good Indian lunch;
mostly Punjabi variety. The pudina
chutney was very tasty.
The market places in Hong Kong were
full of raw meat and dead bodies of birds
kept for sale. Stinking smell of these
pervaded and caused some degree of
sub-clinical nausea. Though unwelcome;
we tolerated this!
After lunch we checked in a nearby
excellent hotel viz. Royal View Hotel
and had peaceful evening that engaged
us in “Star Avenue” visit.
Star Avenue is a sea face area in the city
where you find hand impressions in

6. cement concrete of several stars such as
Bruce Lee. There is a statue of Bruce
Lee also.
The buildings all over Hong Kong are
adorned by garlands of flickering or
steady colorful lighting. The people from
all over the world moving around in
different attire and in cheerful moods,
elevated one’s spirit as well!
But this external appearance could well
prove to be deceptive if one went to the
inner core of these people, because;
subjective and individualistic pleasures
are definitely attractive and compelling
as compared to inertia and indolence and
poverty and perversions. But the global
spiritual renaissance or global
blossoming i.e. “inclusive happiness” is
the inevitable next step to this glamour

7. and glitter that tempted millions of
tourists from all over the world.
We had dinner in another restaurant
which was also Indian but somewhat
different and with better eating and
seating arrangement.
Our night in Hong Kong was very
peaceful and free of mundane and
nagging preoccupations common to day
to day routine!
12th July
The morning breakfast was conspicuous
by the presence of fruits of a different
variety and different sauces. The non
vegetarian breakfast is common in most
of the countries I had visited earlier and
hence I was not shockingly upset or put
off by the presence of meat for non-
vegetarian customers.

8. We enjoyed the city tour that included
the Victoria Peak, Aberdeen (Fishing)
village, Ripples Bay and Jewellary
Factory Outlet.
The ripples or repulse bay is outstanding
by virtue of the presence of cleanliness
and presence of Buddha and other
Chinese idols. This is really great tourist
attraction. I began to get absorbed in the
past of India and its influence on the
world and the sway; the enlightenment of
Buddha had on the regions in south East
Asia.
In the afternoon we had a catamaran;
ready to sail us to Macao. Hong Kong
was handed over by Britain to China in
1997 whereas Macau was handed over
by Portuguese to China in 1999. One

9. country and two systems prevailed in
Hong Kong and Macau.
Macau means goddess of sea. We saw
the temple of the goddess called “Maa”.
Interestingly the fishermen of
Maharashtra worshipped goddess
Ekaweera! The roots of religions sprout
from the deep seated insecurity, fear,
curiosity, love and such other instincts
and emotions, common to all mankind.
The external manifestations in terms
rituals and actual practices of the
religions however vary in accordance
with many other ramifications of these
roots; viz. instincts of bigotry,
fanaticism, exploitation, expansionism,
aggressiveness, maniacal tendencies,
violent bent of mind, imposition and so
on, which lead to differences, disputes,
destruction and devastation!!

10. After reaching Macau we were
welcomed by Mr. Henry a local guide.
We visited the old the old temple, church
and the government buildings of the
Portuguese rule.
In the evening we took rest for sometime
in the hotel and went for visiting the
casino Venitia.
The casino sprawls over a vast area and
is indeed stupefyingly rich and
glamorous. Aesthetically and
technologically it is mind boggling. But
it is also in stark and painful contrast to
the miserable and sick living conditions
of billions of your brothers in the world;
especially in continents of Africa and
other parts of Asia. Hence you do not get
bogged down or enthralled but see

11. through this cacophony of unleashed
passions and extreme and unabated
effulgence of idiosyncrasies; the dawn of
global rejuvenation.
We then went to take dinner and returned
to hotel for rest.
13th July 2009.
By catamaran we retuned to Hong Kong
and visited the Disney land in Hong
Kong. The sense of humor and the caring
and loving creativity to entertain the
children prevailed in every inch of
Disney land. The Parade of Disney world
friends such Vini de pau and others, the
magical world, jungle boat riding, the
space mountain ride, the toy car driving,
the train ride; were all wonderfully
refreshing. The lighting at 8 pm. was
beautiful.

12. The ambience in this area is far too
elevating and endearing as compared to
Disney World I had visited in USA.
We spent whole afternoon and evening
here and after having dinner returned to
hotel with refreshed perspective of life.
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14th July
By CX 723 flight of Cathe pacific of
8:50 am we reached Kuala Lumpur at
12:30 pm. The airport is excellent and
we were received by local guide Mr.
Yoga; who is originally from Andhra
Pradesh in India. We had to wait here for
Miss. Geeta who was to arrive by
another airline. After sometime we
reached the city and had lunch in an
Indian restaurant. Some of us got their

13. currency exchanged for the Malaysian
Ringets.
Yoga spoke good English and appeared
to be well read and experienced.
As the cable car did not work on that day
due maintenance holiday, we went in bus
to Ganting Highlands. Ganting means
above clouds.
Lim Go Tong; a Chinese settler has
creatively developed this area and
heavenly entertaining activities.
This has become a great attraction for the
tourists all over the world. We went to
see a casino here as well.
It seems; every routine activity needs a
certain mode of escapism. This is

14. probably inseparable from individual and
global life. Ganting is a great place for
an escape from hustle bustle of life
submerged in stiff and cut throat
competition. Many people spend time in
gambling in casino.
This place about 6 to 8000 thousand feet
above sea level is pleasantly cold and
youthfully romantic.
15th July
In Malaysia there are 8 % Hindus. There
are signs of Hindu religion every where.
This day we spent in enjoying peddle
boating and various other rides and lunch
and dinner in exotic restaurants.
The lunch and dinner were extravagantly
lavish and I felt unnecessary. The

15. traveling companies should make their
tours more economical and
accommodate even less affording people.
The same hold true for the hotels.
We lived in First World Hotel that
inhabited 6118 rooms. The rooms are not
lavish however, though they are clean
and adequately furnished.
16th July
We visited Bantu caves probably 30 lakh
years old. You have to climb 272 steps
and (if you are above 50 then) confirm
and reassert your fitness!
Somewhere in 1880 some Hindus
constructed a Subramanian temple here.
There world’s tallest idol of
Subramanian here and A festival called
Tapusayam is celebrated every January.

16. Around 1.2 millions people from all over
the world attend this festival.
We returned to Kuala Lumpur and
visited swish watch factory outlet, twin
towers, KL tower, Merdeca square,
national monument, King’s palace, high
court and chocolate factory outlet.
Malaysia exports chocolates, rubber and
jasmine rice and tapioca.
The Malaysian language is called Bahasa
Malaysia.
Bahasa is obviously derived from bhasha
and Bahaya (danger) from bhaya and
such many other words are from
Sanskrit. Other languages are Chinese
and English.

17. In contrast to one’s expectations the
climate was full of drizzles and breeze
and very pleasant. We stayed in Grand
Seasons Hotel.
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==================
17th July
We went in bus to Singapore and after
the immigration entered the much heard
beautiful city nation of Singapore.
It is beautiful beyond imagination. The
beauty of human creativity and wisdom
is not only manifesting in the principles
of peace, progress, democracy,
development and justice adopted here,
but their expression and implementation.
Singapore is a practical exemplification
and endorsement of the fact that if
wisdom and enlightenment governs then

18. the ultimate beauty of nature of and
human creativity are manifested in social
and personal life.
At the hotel Mr. Bhajan Singh received
and guided to an Indian restaurant.
We visited night safari. There was a live
show to demonstrate friendship of man,
animals and environment. It was good.
This was followed by a tour in open
vehicle to see the wild animals in open.
Though safe, this was quite thrilling but
little frightening too, for an urbanized
individual.
At the hotel Mr. Bhajan Singh received
and guided to an Indian restaurant. We
stayed in Grand Plaza Park hotel.
18th July

19. We visited Singapore flyer Merlion Park,
like mermaid this is a lion head with
body of fish. This is a national symbol.
You can see the beauty of sea and river.
From here we went to Chinese temple,
which is enchanting and absorbs you in
the aura of unifying and pious past. We
saw the place where Netaji Subhash
delivered his speeches.
Then we enjoyed MRT ride. We visited
gems factory,
In the evening we went to Sentosa Island
by cable car, where we saw under water
world and two three D and four D shows
in the theatres viz. travel through woods
and pirates.
You have two pay 13 Singapore dollars
each per person for these shows. The
special effects in cinematography and

20. special movements and vibrations in
seats and actual sprinkles of water make
these shows special in terms of
experience; but not worth the cost of
tickets. Further, the arrangement for
waiting is certainly not matching the
elegance of Singapore in every other
respect. The waiting is grueling and tests
your patience.
The musical fountain show viz. song of
sea is on the sea beach and astounding
display of technology and creativity. The
laser display and the fire work thereafter
are extraordinary. There is a great
message also in simple words with
respect to unity and united efforts
towards common welfare and grand goal.
We stayed in Grand Plaza after dinner in
Singapore.

21. =============================
=================
19th July
We visited Jurong Bird Park, where there
were live shows of training of vultures,
parrots and other birds. The parrots sing
songs in three languages!
Feeding the birds is wonderful.
We returned to take our lunch and
dispersed to do things of our choice such
as purchasing etc.
We chose to walk in the after noon and
went through the area called Little India.
The area has obviously many Indians
especially South Indians and many
Asians.
This is really crowded area and you see
footpath vendors and remind you the
area of Matunga in Mumbai. However I
doubt if there are thing such dwelling

22. and performing the morning activities on
footpaths. We had dinner in river view
restaurant and later had the fun of
enjoying night life Singapore in a Cruz.
20th July
After breakfast we proceeded to airport
to reach at about 10:30 and take CX 712
Cathe Pacific flight to reach Bangkok at
3:55.
The courtesy and humility of employees
on the airport has begun to dry up.
We are received by our tour guide Diya a
Thai girl. She would pronounce tour as
“tool” however could pronounce travel
in a proper way!
The Royal Benja Hotel is in a crowded
and not so likable area.

23. Nothing in evening except dinner in a
restaurant called Indian Curry Pot.
After breakfast proceed to Pattaya.
The traveling arrangements made by
Sachin travels are excellent.
On the way we visited the gems factory.
We moved in open vehicles through
artificially created caves to highlight the
development of civilization and barter
system and also the mining progress and
cutting and designing of gems and
precious stones.
After this we visited Nang Choong park,
which is beautiful and sprawls over 500
acres of land.
We saw the mock boxing show and
beautifully choreographed Thai tap

24. dance through bamboos. The
presentation was excellent.
The most charming and exciting was
elephant show! Elephants played basket
ball, foot ball and even drew picture of
heart and write the words “LOVE” by
their trunk.
We returned to hotel and some people
opted to go for an adult Russian show
and we visited Big C mall.
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==================22nd July
Our tour guide Diya said, “Good boys go
to heaven and bad boys come to
Pattaya”!
Today we visited Coral Island, watch
colorful fishes through the glass bottom

25. of canoe, enjoyed speed boat ride and
parasailing!
The experience of parasailing was
exciting but not adventurous!
The protective belts and really protective
as you are very tightly fastened to the
ropes of the parachute! However it is
important that the tour guides give you
an idea about what to do, in a proper
manner.
When I was asked to keep running I kept
on running even in the sky!
May be; I was too sincere and too
obedient beyond expectations, but such
running only added to the tiring and
uneasiness. What is actually need is to
just keep moving so that you do not get
dragged and as soon as you take of you
are only to enjoy the movement in the
sky!

26. Thai massage is given by Thai masseurs
who are trained ladies. They are warm
and affable. They are fully dressed. No
oil is used and you are massaged with
your body completely covered. The
massage is soothing, relaxing, healing
and rejuvenating (within physiological
limits!).
In the evening we visited the Alcazar
show presented by artists whom one
categorizes as intersexes or eunuchs.
This is one way of giving dignity and
honor to your citizens irrespective of
physical and other factors.
We had dinner in Mumbai magic a huge
restaurant managed by and Indian and
stayed in hotel Ibis in Pattaya.
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27. 23rd July
After breakfast we proceeded to safari
world and see orangutan show, sea lion
show, stunt show of cow boys as in
Mexican movies, dolphin show and
toured through the freely moving wild
animals in wild life park in bus.
Afterwards, we visited what is called
Mini Siam, where there are models of
many wonders in the world.
It is remarkable that there are no models
of any monuments from India!
There is a huge idol of Shesha Shayee
Narayan near the gate itself.
I felt happy to take a photograph here.
After finishing this we proceeded back to
Bangkok

28. 24th July
The whole day was kept free for those
who like to freak out and do purchasing.
The night time was kept for Chau Priya
river Cruz dinner. The dinner was
excellent and here also I felt alienated
form the vast majority of children in
India who can not participate in such
events.
25th July
Today was the last day of tour. We had
City tour of Reclining Buddha temple.
The huge golden idols of sitting and
reclining Buddha are mind boggling.
One is wonderstruck by the spiritual
power that must have manifested in the
being of Buddha to have defied time and
space and remain victoriously dignified

29. and worshipped in such marvelous forms
and in such remote places!
The palace, monument of democracy and
other places were only “seen” from the
road and not really visited to get the real
feel of them.
After having food we were to relax
and/or do purchasing. But the restaurant
had some reservations and we were not
welcome to relax!
The air-conditioning was switched off
and even lights were switched off!
This resentment of the restaurant
managers and employees was apparently
inexplicable as we were to have dinner in
the same restaurant. Some of our senior

30. passengers were prevented from even
drinking water.
The charm in eating in this place had
disappeared. Even though, I had taken
my anti-diabetic tablets, I decided and in
spite of resistance from all skipped my
dinner and did not drink water also in
this restaurant. Vibha also did not eat.
At around 8:30 we proceeded to airport
to catch a flight Cx 709.
Cathe Pacific. At night the air host when
offered soft drinks I asked for a cup tea.
He bluntly refused and said he would
provide it later. The curtness and
arrogance began to pervade as we began
to near Mumbai. I refused for the same
too.

31. 26th July
The night was not too bad. We landed
safely.
But all the formalities were waiting to
induce stress of pathocracy!
There was a huge blockade right from
the time of entry from airplane to the
airport right in the transit.
Later some forms were to filled and no
body seem to guide any body.
There were queues and queues.
The clerks made sarcastic remarks to
vent out their perversions and tried to
disturb us even more!
Amidst these shackles to growth and
development, somehow we managed to
reach the pick up point.

32. Santosh had come to receive us and
reach home comfortably. We dropped
Mr. and Mrs. Umarani on the way and
reached home with deep sense of
gratitude for the rejuvenation and new
enthusiasm in our life that we could
share with others!
August 5 2009.
It has to be said that Sachin ravels is
excellent in every respect. I shall surely
repeat the same for next tour. The tour
managers and tour guides were excellent.
But
1.Flights should be more convenient.
2. Hotels and food need not be
exorbitantly and unnecessarily lavish.

33. 3.Instead, the tour managers and tour
guides could be given more
incentives.
4.The brochures should be more
detailed.
5.The snacks, though were excellent
should be more health promoting and
not oily and spicy.
6.All the participants should be
introduced right in the beginning.
7.Telecommunication facility should
be provided in case of emergency and
mentioned so in the brochure to
reassure the passengers.
8. Bags need not be provided as they are
NOT required and in fact; add to the
weight and clumsiness. In stead,
prominent badges or labels should be
tied or attached to all the bags of the
passengers.

34. 9.LASTLY, I SUGGEST Travel agents
in general; TO CONDUCT MORE
TOURS, WITH GREATER
SIMPLICITY, SO THAT MORE
PEOPLE CAN PARTICIPATE AND
BLOSSOM IN EVERY WAY.
10 BEST WISHES TO ALL!